As for finding a hitter outside the club, that quest will continue as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline rolls closer. With Jay Bruce out 6-8 weeks, there seems to be more of a need now than before.

“It could make it more pressing but it doesn’t mean it’s going to happen,” Jocketty said. “We’re still looking for a hitter. The fact that Jay is hurt makes it more difficult for us to score runs. We’ve still got some guys that will get more playing time. Jonny Gomes will play more. [Jerry] Hairston could play more in the outfield. We’re certainly trying to do what we can.”

Jocketty seemed to be in agreement with Baker’s view from Sunday that the time is not now for outfield prospects Drew Stubbs and Chris Heisey. Jocketty saw Stubbs play three times last week for Louisville and in Wednesday’s Triple-A All-Star game.

“He’s getting close,” Jocketty said of Stubbs. “You don’t want to rush a guy and have him come up here and not be successful. We’ll wait until our people think the time is right. The worst thing you can do for a guy’s confidence is to bring him up here and he doesn’t perform well.”

The Reds were on the field extra early today doing early work, which is a typical thing for a team to do after a few days off. Players took infield practice, practice cutoffs and relays in the outfield, went over signs and of course, took batting practice.Among those on the field was SS Alex Gonzalez, who was throwing pretty well considering he had elbow surgery about a month ago.

“They say he’s coming back really quick. He’s at a point where he could probably go on a rehab assignment next week. It’s just a matter of the time he needs to play.”

In other injury news, Edinson Volquez could begin throwing off of a mound by next week.

And, OF Chris Dickerson was scratched from the lineup during BP. He was originally slated to bat leadoff and play right field.

One other late note: I learned today that 16-year-old Venezuelan shortstop Humberto Valor received a $690,000 bonus when he signed earlier this month. That was far below what some published reports were.

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